Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-24


all destroyed and manufacturing enter
prises nipped in the bud. From the first
he had been identified with the liberal
movement, and these extreme measures tend
cd to increase his passionate enthusiasm. He
deeply loved literature and in his library
were found works on art, science, philoso-
ply and political economy, including the
French authors Of the day, from whom he
imbibed ideas which could not fail to bring
forth practical fruit. There We're also
found many other books prohibited by the
Church, which were afterwards used against
him as
CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF HEREsY.
All his plans having been matured for
unfurling the banner of independence at
the annual fair in San Juan de Los Lagos,
state OF Jalisco), he retired to Dolores to
arrange for needed arms and ammunition.
But among his adherents was Judas,
who treacherously betrayed the scheme
The Niceroy, informed of the secret meet
ings at Guanajuato and Queretaro, gave Or
ders fer the immediate arrest of all sus-
pected parties.
The name OF woman shines in those
dark days beside that of Hidalgo, as the
VI ~'aCAlN<il independence, lAlh
the first to pawn her life for the cause
Dona ,Josefa Ortiz de Dominique. Locked
III her house, she called the attention of Il
priest by preconcerted sequel, and bid
him fly TO General Allande, in San Miguel,
and send the latter to warn Hidalgo and
the rest of their deadly peril
Allande hastened by night to Dolores,
| to consult with the head of all their hopes.
Instead of proposing escape, as was ex-
pected in this desperate junctnre, as if sud-
| denly inspired, Hidalgo exclaimed: "Ac-
ton must be taken at once. There is no
time TO lose. We shall yet see the OPP
pressors yoke scattered in fragments on the
groundp'
The servants and workmen, only fifteen
in number, were hastily summoned, and
with this small army, armed with such
few implements of war as the house of a
priest afforded, the doors were thrown
open. 1t was not yet daybreak, but Il
crowd was speedily collected, and to these
Hidalgo explained the situation and pro-
voled the cry, "Vira Ia hdependencia.' ~
a the first glimmer of dawning the
church bells were rung. as never before,
and, attracted by the ciamor as wellas the
unusual hour, the people came focking
from all directions For the last time
Hidalgo mounted to his pulpit, and with a
sad face untolded to the beloved people all
his hopes and plans He told them that
they had been slaves for centuries in the
land where their fathers ruled as mon-
archs; that now was their OPPORTUNITY to
recover from the cruel Spaniards their
stolen lands and liberty Here was free
dom, if they would fight for it, and he
himself would lead them, whether to vic
tory or death. Said he: "Will you be-
come Napoleon's slaves, or will you arise
as patriots to the defense of your homes
and your religion? '
The response from hundreds of eager
Threats nearly shook down the old
walls in its wild enthusiasm: Vira
! nuestra Sonora de Guadolope! Vira la In
dependencia Muerd ell NAL Gobierno!
| Mueran los GachupindS r' Long live our
Lady of Guadalupe (the Creole mother of
Christ and special patroness of Mexico) !
Long live independence! Perish the bad
Government Death to the Standards.
has loved you as his children was Hi
dalgo's exhortation. This was the famous
"GRIro DE DOLORES"
| Which became the watchword of the Lib
erals throughout their long and weary
struggle. And thus an ignorant band of
| Indians and Creoles, without money, arms,
skill, or anything but enthusiasm, led by a
priest whose life had been most humble
and whose tastes all leaned toward peace
and quietncss, arrayed themselves against
a powerful nation possessed of overwhelm-
ing numbers, wealth, influence, all the arts
and machinery Of war.
After all the disabilities so long
imposed upon them, their first self
taught lessons in military life must
have been hard indeed for these
poor Indians. Called by HidaIgo's elo-
quence they came by thousands, and when
he raised for his banner rude pscture of
the Lady of Guadalupe, the movement as
sumed the character of a crusade They
equipped and supported themselves, and
even the women assisted, preceding the
columns in the march, and performing the
functions of cooks, nurses and purveyors.
In all those external appointments which
give prestige and power to military organi-
cations they were utterly destitute, but in
high-souled patriotism the world has never
seen their superiors.
In letter like this we cannot follow the
trials and triumphs of the cause but the
heroic sacrifices and deeds of valOr of this
first army of independence are embalmed
in history and engrosSed on the hearts of
their countrymen. Alas, that in one short
year. after the most brilliant successes and
disastrous defeats, all who were left of
! this noble army Of patriots were betrayed,
imprisoned and shot, sealing with their
flood their faith in the cause.
Throughout all these varied experiences
Hidalgo remained the same, and whether
Generalissimo or private soldier, it was all
one to him so long as the cause advanced.
At this time he was ffty-eight years of
age, and is described as rather above the
average hight, of stout proportions, ruddy
complexion and robust constitution. His
well-nolded head was bald on the top,
his long hair nearly white, forehead mas
sive, features large, lips thin, eyebrows
very prominent, face cleau-shaven and the
brilliant black eyes betrayed the activity
of his mind. His heart was kind and
! sympathetic, manner winning, and his
voice vibrating, sonorouS, and extremely
! pleasing to the ear. To the tongue of a
Phillips he added the pen of Garrison,
the will of a Hancock, the fanaticism of
John Brown and the heart of a Lincoln :
like the latter, he proclaimed the aboIi-
ton of slavery. Although he has been
called
THE WASHINGTON OF NENIC0,"
There is no one of our American heroes
with whom he can appropriately he COM
pared. Had Hidalgo possessed Washing
toms cool, irresistible perseverance, his
cause might have sooner triumphed; but
had such been his character he would
never have LAUNCHED his q Critic at such
fearful risk.
Though he discarded the cassocll for the
military cloak, he never quite forgot his
early thinning. Travelling from village to
village, melting the Indians to rebellion,
he always wore an image Of the Virgin
of GHaaalupe suspended by a chain
around his neck. After hsrsnguing the
people he would suddenly look down at
his breast and address the image in this
fashion: IS Holy Virgin of Guadalupe /!
Mary, mother of God Behold our
country-behold our wrongs, Dost thou
desire that we be delivered from our
! tyrants-dsst thou wish US to slav the
Gachupinas ?"
The image had q movable head fastened
90 spring, which he pulled by Jerking a
csrd concealed beneath his vest. As